Alexander Campbell began his editorial work with the Christian Baptist. The first number of this magazine was dated July 4, 1823, Mr. Campbell being then in his thirty-fifth year. The Christian Baptist was devoted to the work of criticism of the sins and mistakes of denominationalism.

      After continuing the publication of the Christian Baptist several years, Mr. Campbell realized the need of constructive work, and he discontinued the publication of the Christian Baptist, and on Jan. 1, 1830, he gave the world the first number of the Millennial Harbinger, a monthly magazine, published from Bethany, Va., now West Virginia.

      One of the reasons of the change of name was that he feared his brethren would be called Christian Baptists, a name which was being given them. One reason for the selection of the name Millennial Harbinger was the profound influence the doctrine of the second coming of Christ was having over all religious minds at that time. Mr. Campbell planned to give large attention to this subject, and hence called the new magazine the Millennial Harbinger.

      The gifted Robert Richardson, and in later years Robert Milligan and W. K. Pendleton, were called to his assistance in the editorial work. Mr. Campbell continued as editor until 1863, when he sold the Harbinger to W. K. Pendleton, who, with Charles Louis Loos as assistant editor, continued its publication until 1870.

      The Harbinger was a storehouse of the best constructive thought of the leaders of the Reformation. There have already been republished several volumes from this great magazine of truth; viz.: "The Christian System;" "The Debate on Universalism;" "Christian Baptism;" "Debate on Spiritualism;" "Christian Preacher's Companion;" "Popular Lectures and Addresses;" "Acts of Apostles," by A. Campbell; and "The Work of the Holy Spirit," and "Communings in the Sanctuary," by R. Richardson. The matters contained in these publications have been largely omitted from this work.

      The MILLENNIAL HARBINGER ABRIDGED is an attempt to rescue from oblivion much that is of permanent value; to arrange it topically and [iii] chronologically; to eliminate matters of mere local and temporary character, and, by carefully indexing, to render it accessible and available.

      The Harbinger was not a symmetrical publication; it was a magazine, not a book; many subjects that we might wish had been fully discussed are not mentioned; many are partially treated, and many are repeatedly discussed, as they seemed of recurring interest; hence the MILLENNIAL HARBINGER ABRIDGED will not be found either symmetrical, systematic or exhaustive.

      The work of selecting, abridging and editing was done as a special work from 1888 to 1894, while serving as minister of the First Christian Church of Topeka, Kan.; building a new church house, and acting as corresponding secretary of the Kansas State Board of Missions. It has been a labor of love.

      I wish to acknowledge myself greatly indebted to W. K. Pendleton for his interest and advice in the planning and doing of this work to Jabez Hall for his help freely extended, and to Charles Louis Loos, the surviving editor, for his encouragement and for the Introduction.

      That the attention and interest of our brethren, and especially our preaching brethren, might be recalled to the teaching of the fathers; that we might become endued with their spirit of loyalty to the Word of God; that we might catch their habits of careful study of the Divine Word until it shall dwell in us richly; that we might hold fast to the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and for which the fathers endured persecution; that we might catch the enthusiasm of the fathers and realize that every motive which justified them in making this great plea, now urges us to send it all over this land and to the uttermost parts of the earth--these are the purposes which caused the preparation of these volumes for the press.

      We commend them to our God, asking him to use them for his high glory and for the help of his people.

      CINCINNATI, O., May 15, 1902. [iv]

[MHA1 iii-iv]